From North Carolina and moving to Alaska.. (Anchorage, Hope: equity, relocate)

[surferchickee67]

Hello. My husband and myself are moving to AK with our 6yo son (probably Anchorage). We're looking into jobs and homes and this site has been a great help. Any advice for us small town southern folks? He is a police officer and I am a nurse. My husband is looking forward to the hunting and fishing, I'm excited about the winter sports (we don't get much...well any snow on the coastal plains of NC) and my little boy is so excited about the mountains and the snow he's already planning his "snow family" (not planning on stopping with just one man I guess) Also, any good surfing in AK?

[RayinAK]

Jobs? I would advise that you get jobs first, before you come to Alaska. You won't believe how high the cost of living is here compared to NC. Not only that, but as it's with any job, you have to compete with others who want the same job.

Housing? It will be hard for you to find a house to buy for under $200K. Rent is quite high unless you are willing to live in certain areas of town that are not very safe. But I could be wrong, so look at the Anchorage Daily News' adds and see what is available.

The mountains and snow are very nice around Anchorage, and just about anywhere in Alaska, but I doubt that you can do any surfing around Anchorage. Well, maybe wind (sail) surfing at Turnagain Arm, wearing a dry suit or something.

[surferchickee67]

We will definitely have jobs before we go. I can't see moving that far without some kind of income. Rent here is pretty high as well. $1800-$2000 for a three bedroom anything. We're from Wilmington which has the dubious honor of being a resort as well as a college town. The house we own here is valued at about 280,000 and we have about 140,000 in equity right now. The market is not great but our house is 5 min from the beach and a mile from the college so I think it would sell pretty quickly. Although we may deceide to rent it to my mother. I'm pretty sure as a nurse I can get a job in Anchorage but I was wondering how hard it is to get onto the police force there. My husband is a DRE (Drug Recognition Expert) as well as a Sergent here and we were hoping that would help him get on there. Anybody know any police officers in Anchorage?

[stiffnecked]

You won't have a problem getting a job. Just apply for and get your Alaska Nursing License. Link at the bottom. Your husband may have a tougher time. Anchorage Police Dept is a very tough nut to crack. While they are recruiting they are very picky. He may also want to consider applying with the Alaska Dept. of Corrections and the Alaska Airport Police-Anchorage. Good luck.

Alaska Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing

[orind]

Anchorage PD and the Alaska State Troopers seem to be always recruiting, and another DRE is always nice--but as mentioned previously, high standards. For housing, go to alsakarealestate.com and do some searching--use the advanced search, put in your criteria and see if there is anything that peaks your interest.

[stiffnecked]

Anchorage Police Career Opportunities

Getting on with APD is not an easy undertaking. It's not unusual to have to go through the process 3 or 4 times before getting hired. I think they look at the presistence factor.
Good luck.....

[bongo]

We've watched surfers chase & surf the bore tides (some of the highest worldwide) in the Turnagain Arm. It's pretty awesome to watch, Surferchickee! Wetsuits of course!

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by bongo

We've watched surfers chase & surf the bore tides (some of the highest worldwide) in the Turnagain Arm. It's pretty awesome to watch, Surferchickee! Wetsuits of course!

I just watch. It's much safer that way. It's a real dangerous area to get stuck on a sandbar.

[CL99]

I had a conditional offer with the PD.. long stroy and a divorce.. anyways.. You have to fly up there and test. For the people that come up from out of the region they have the fitness test, and interviews during a 1 week period of time, and then you are needed to fly back about 5-6 weeks later.. Last year the test that i went for was in the begining of January and the Academy was in October... being that he is already certified they might have a program for officers that are relocated, but he does still have to go up for the testing. I only have my BA in Criminology, so I had to wait for the academy. For the week and a couple days up their it cost me about $2000 including Air/hotel/food/rental car. Hope this helps.

Cynthia

[surferchickee67]

Thanks! That does help. We're prepared to send him up there to test and stuff. At least for one or two times. After that I'm not sure what we'll do. Maybe head on up and rent a small place for a while.